Mars Hill pastor: Obama “likely does not know” God

A high-profile Seattle clergyman delivered a jarring note as clergy across the country delivered best wishes to President Obama at the launch of his second term in the White House.

Mark Driscoll, founding pastor at the Mars Hill Church, tweeted: “Praying for our President, who today will place his hand on a Bible he does not believe to take an oath to a God he likely does not know.”

The tweet drew an immediate Facebook rejoinder from the Rev. Sandy Brown, senior minister at the Seattle First United Methodist Church, whose historic downtown sanctuary on 5th Avenue was recently leased by the Mars Hill congregation.

Inaugurations have historically been a time for turning the other cheek. The Rev. Billy Graham backed Richard Nixon in the 1960 presidential race, but met and prayed with John F. Kennedy in Palm Beach, Fla., after the election.

The tradition was carried on by other clergy Sunday. “Congratulations President Obama: Prayers for blessing, wisdom, direction, health” wrote Russell Moore, dean of the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary.

Rev. Louis Giglio, from the Passion City Church in Atlanta, was invited to give the benediction at Monday’s inauguration, but withdrew after controversy arose over a long-ago sermon on gays and lesbians. Giglio, however, chose to turn the other cheek, tweeting: